This Pan Seared Tilapia is a super easy 25-minute dinner that is perfect for busy moms like me. The fish is lightly crusty on the outside and flaky on the inside.

Serve this meal on busy weeknights with my Mango Avocado Salsa and you’ll be in heaven!

I’m totally having fun looking for easy dinner recipes that I can execute in about 30 minutes or less! As a busy mama, it is my goal to make family-friendly meals that do not require hours and hours of cooking!

So this Pan Seared Tilapia is right up my alley! You do not need to coat the tilapia in flour before frying, and you only need a few easy pantry staples.

Ingredients

For this easy weeknight dinner, all you need is some:

• Tilapia filets (they should be completely defrosted if frozen)
• Garlic powder
• Dried Basil
• Paprika: Regular or smoked paprika would work
• Black pepper
• Salt
• And olive oil.

This combination of seasoning makes the fish taste so good! You’ll enjoy this easy dinner whether you are a fish lover or not! Tilapia has a mild flavor so it really soaks up the seasoning.

I always keep a variety of dried spices and herbs at home, and you totally should do the same. They make life so easy!

For the full list of ingredients with measurements, check out the recipe card below.

How to Make Pan Seared Tilapia

Here is how to make pan-fried tilapia in two easy steps:

Step 1. Rub the spices on both sides of the fish. Be sure that the spices get to every nook and cranny of the fish. There is no need to let the fish marinate first.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Preferably, use a cast iron skillet if you have one, but any other skillet, like a nonstick skillet, will do. Once the oil is hot, place two fillets in at a time. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is golden brown. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley as a garnish if you want to be a little extra!

Also, add some lime wedges on the side for squeezing over and enjoying. So good!

Two easy steps, a short cooking process, and you have the best tilapia recipe!

I could eat all of this fish in one sitting, I tell you. It is super flavorful. The blend of ingredients I use on them transforms boring tilapia into a restaurant quality dish.

My whole family goes crazy for this! I strongly suggest doubling the recipe if you’re cooking for 4 or more people. In the unlikely event that you have leftovers, place them into a bowl with a tight-fitting lid and store in the fridge for an easy grab-and-warm lunch or dinner.

Serving

This pan-seared tilapia recipe pairs perfectly with my Mango Avocado Salsa! I enjoyed the fish and salsa with some corn chips on the side, a squeeze of lime juice, and I loved it! Serve it with boiled rice or garlic herb rice, green beans, couscous, fried plantains, and potato fries. Break up the fish and serve it in tacos, or pair it with any side dish you enjoy.

Hope this recipe brightens your life in the kitchen as it did mine!

Watch How To Make Pan Seared Tilapia

Watch me make Pan Seared Tilapia in the video below. Also, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel so you do not miss any of my videos!

Variations

• Make a lemon butter sauce to go with the fish.
• Season the tilapia and bake it in a shallow dish instead of cooking it on the stove top.
• Air-fry the seasoned tilapia instead.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish just before serving or top each filet with lemon slices.
• Season the fish with a seasoning mix like Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or Italian seasoning.

More Easy Dinners With Fish

• Lemon Butter Tilapia
• Pan Grilled Salmon
• Fish In White Sauce
• Baked Cajun Salmon
• Garlic Butter Tilapia

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